TRIAL OF THE BLANC BROTHERS.
This verdict which rightfully sends two youthful, but hardened, criminals to the scaffold should be the strongest kind of proof that when people show a disposition to assist the officers in the enforcement and execution of the laws there need be no fears of a miscarriage of justice. Why should men talk of mob rule in a country where the people make the laws and elect the officers to enforce them? If citizens do their duty, public officials will perform theirs.
Let it be said to the credit of Lafayette parish that from the day that Sheriff Broussard arrested the Blanc brothers a sentiment in favor of law and a legal execution of the self-confessed murderers made itself felt everywhere.
A legal trial of the prisoners was had. There was no hitch in the proceedings and no unnecessary delay caused by the disposition of dilatory motions. The case was conducted with undoubted fairness and uncommon promptness and the verdict was reached after mature deliberation by twelve good and true men.
The officers desired to see the law respected. The people sided with the officers. Law has triumphed. Justice has prevailed, and peace reigns supreme.
Lafayette Gazette 3/6/1897.
THE VERDICT:
Expected by the Blanc Brothers. Awaiting the End With Resignation.
The Youthful Murderers Were Sentenced Thursday Evening. They Had Nothing to Say.
The Gazette reporter visited the Blanc brothers in their cell at the parish jail Saturday afternoon. The youthful murderers seemed pleased to see some one and conversed freely. They had received a call from Col. G. A. Breaux and Judge C. H. Mouton in the morning and appeared to appreciate the attention paid them by their attorneys. They said that they knew they had been ably and earnestly defended and expressed their appreciation of the fact that their defense had been placed into the hands of some of the best-known lawyers of this section. Though the verdict which sends them to scaffold was a terrible one, yet, they felt that it was the inevitable result of their confession. The younger, Alexis, said in answer to an inquiry, "We have talked too much. That is all. Had we kept the secret and not confessed, we would not be here."
In the cell is a religious book. "It was given us by a kind woman during our stay in New Orleans prison," said Ernest. "We are Catholics and we find some consolation by perusing its pages. Our mother was a catholic and of course we made our first communion, but, like most young men in Paris, we drifted away from the church."
The prisoners spoke in complimentary terms of the officers of the court, particularly of Sheriff Broussard, whom they declared to be a brave and good man. To their keeper, Deputy Mouton, they felt very grateful for kind treatment.
They said their case be taken to Supreme Court on appeal. "Why should we?" spoke Ernest. "It will only prolong our troubles."
THE SENTENCE.
Ernest and Alexis Blanc were sentenced by Judge Debaillon Thursday afternoon. They were conducted into court by Sheriff Broussard at half past three o'clock. Both looked steadfastly at the judge while he pronounced the sentence. To the question if he had anything to say why the sentence should not be passed upon him, Ernest replied in an audible tone of voice, "No, sir." He maintained a look of determination, and at no time did his facial expression betray any symptoms of fear. He appeared as a man who had made up his mind to die and wished to go through the ordeal as speedily as possible. Not so with the younger brother, Alexis. He stood with trembling body and flushed cheeks. The studied indifference noticeable during the trial had given place to an expression of horror. The judge told them that he did not wish to go over the facts as they were too well-known. He stated that they had been defended by able counsel, who would have secured a lighter verdict had such a thing been possible.
After the sentences had been passed on both prisoners the sheriff manacled the youthful murderers together and took them away to their dreary apartment in the parish jail.
It now remains for the governor to sign the death warrant and fix the day of execution. The time allotted for this formality is generally sixty days.
Lafayette Gazette 3/6/1897.
Vindicated.
{From the St. Landry Clarion}
When the City Item circulated broadcast over the land the report that Isaac Broussard, sheriff of Lafayette parish, was a defaulter, the Clarion promptly pronounced the statement a lie. We felt that it was but a thinly disguised scheme of the Item to murder politically this gallant and beloved Democratic leader, schemes that that paper has been to known to resort to on several occasions. Therefore, we are glad to be able to give below the result of an investigation into the matter by the Lafayette Grand Jury, which completely exonerates, if such was needed, the beloved young sheriff of our sister parish"
"We took special occasion to make a minute investigation of the sheriff's accounts both with the parish and State, and we are proud to say to the people of the parish that the scurrilous article that appeared in the Daily City Item some time since, charging the sheriff with falcation of State funds, was and is absolutely false and libelous. Sheriff Broussard's accounts not only show that he is in good account with both State and parish, but they also show that he has settled with the auditor for amounts due on deduction tax list and holds the auditors receipts therefore."-
From the St. Landry Clarion and in the Lafayette Gazette 3/6/1897.
Dr. Webb's Residence Burned. - Last Saturday evening the residence of Rev. Thomas Webb was destroyed by fire. A considerable amount of furniture was burned with the building. The fire originated in a defective chimney. As there was no insurance on the property the loss is quite a heavy one. It is estimated at $4,000.
Lafayette Gazette 3/6/1897.
Married. - Mr. Edward Hebert of Breaux Bridge and Miss Rose Duhon of this parish were married Monday at the Catholic church in this town. After the ceremony the newly wedded couple were driven to the Southern Pacific depot where they boarded an east-bound train for New Orleans. They will return in a few days to their home in Breaux Bridge.
Lafayette Gazette 3/6/1897.
TO THE PEN,
Marius Mamou Gets Twenty-eight Years - Other Sentences Passed.
Judge Debaillon passed the following sentences Thursday afternoon:
Marius Mamou, robbery, 14 years in the penitentiary; 14 years additional for cutting with intent to murder.
George Babineaux, robbery, 14 years in the penitentiary.
Mamou and Babineaux are the two negroes who held up the old Frenchman, Hebert, near Carencro.
Alexander Mitchell, robbery, 10 years at hard labor. Mitchell knocked down another negro and robbed him of 35 cents.
Alcide Narcisse, was sentenced to serve the State 6 months for having a stolen bottle of whisky.
Felismare Blanchard, a white boy 17 years of age, got 6 months in the parish jail for larceny. He was fined $5 and costs for carrying a concealed weapon.
Isaac Jackson the young negro against whom the jury returned a verdict of guilty of manslaughter for killing Baptiste Senegal at a ball near Royville, was given 5 years in the penitentiary. A petition from prominent citizens of Royville was presented to the judge asking mercy for this negro who had previously borne a good reputation.
Henry Feringer, the one-armed young German, who entered John Bunt's shop and stole money, received a light sentence: 13 months in the penitentiary.
Frank Clairville, the smooth darky who wanted to make up for the low prices of cotton by selling the same bale to four different persons, was given, one year, the maximum. The judge told Frank he was sorry he could not give him more.
Louis Mamou, the fourth member of the distinguished Mamou family to enter the State's service, will spend the next 14 years at Baton Rouge.
All parties sent to the penitentiary are colored with the exception of Feringer.
Lafayette Gazette 3/6/1897.
NO. 1, VOL. V.
The gazette has entered upon its fifth year, this being No. I of Vol. V. During the four years of its existence, the paper has prospered. Its business has steadily increased since the day that it made its appearance. Every day names are added to its subscription list, and it is reasonable to say that before long the paper will visit every home in the parish where the English language is read. As may be seen the columns of the paper are filled with advertisements all of which are paid for in cash - we insert no dead-heads. It is the policy of the paper to receive pay for its space.
With a good list of paying subscribers, an increasing advertising patronage and a fair job trade, The Gazette enters its fifth year with no misgiving as to its future. Lafayette Gazette 3/6/1897.
KING ATTAKAPAS
Arrives in Lafayette and is Greeted By Hundreds of Loyal Subjects. =His Rule Brings Mirth, Joy and Cheerfulness and Ends With an Elegant Ball--Dr. Martin is King and Miss Isaure McDaniel Queen.
King Attakapas, the first monarch whom the headstrong people of Lafayette have bowed in humble submission and cheerfully obeyed, arrived with his beautiful queen at the gates of the city Tuesday morning and knocked for admission. He arrived from the west on one of Col. Huntington's magnificently equipped cars and was welcomed at the Southern Pacific depot by a crowd of loyal subjects as ever owed allegiance to a ruler. The dazzling pomp and oriental splendor displayed in honor of the august personages somewhat bewildered our people who knew but little about kings and thrones.
When the train stopped the king and queen appeared on the platform of the car. They were immediately escorted to the regal equipage where they took seats beneath the splendid canopy which covered the royal float. The attendants who were attired in gorgeous suits, occupied their accustomed places.
Hon. Chas. D. Caffery, mayor of Lafayette, stepped in front of the chariot and delivered the following appropriate address. He spoke in a loud and distinctive voice and was heard by everyone in the immense throng. Mayor Caffery said:
Most August and Most Gracious King and Queen:
"The very great pleasure and the exalted privilege of greeting your majesties, falls to me, and such is your magnificent fame, throughout the land, that at the outset I am driven to exclaim, Oh, King and Queen ! live forever.
"Happy indeed are we, to be thus favored, and for these, your loyal subjects, I will give you cordial welcome. With unfeigned joy and unbounded gratitude, they behold your majesties in person, and direct me to avow their unswerving loyalty and devotion. "But, Oh King! I tender you more than welcome. I tender you more than welcome. I congratulate you especially upon the true patriotism of your subjects in this department of your Kingdom. I congratulate you and them upon this unmistakable manifestation of enterprise, energy and public spirit which we have here to-day. By this demonstration of your Kingdom. I congratulate you and them upon this unmistakable manifestation of enterprise, energy and public spirit which we have here to-day. By this demonstration they proclaim their determination that neither the subjects of the Roi de Cypre, nor those of any other potentate, shall surpass them in those attributes which characterize a great and glorious nation.
"It is my province, moreover, to acknowledge, on behalf of these, your subjects, your most benign and excellent rule over them. Indeed, there runs a saying throughout the land, that, "uneasy lies the head that wears the crown", but, that saying, applicable no doubt to the ruler of the Turkish empire or the Czar of all the Russians, has not and never will have any application to your majesty's great and glorious reign.
"For this I welcome you again in the name of all your subjects; of those of Carencro, Royville, Broussard, Scott, Duson, all! And in conclusion I tender to you the keys of Lafayette. Take them, your majesty; ay, take not only the keys, but take the town. Do as you choose with it; paint it, paint any color you please, and we will still cry long live the King, the great and only King of the Attakapas."
Before concluding his address Mayor Caffery tendered the King the keys of the city of Lafayette.
At the conclusion of this ceremony Prof. Walter Mouton's far-famed string band discoursed some suitable music, after which the King and the magnificent pageant proceeded through the streets of the city which were literally packed with people who had come from this and adjoining parishes to participate in the festivities. Never were the avenues, streets and alleys of the city so crowded with visitors. Throngs of men, women and children blockaded the passage and it is required the hardest kind of work by Marshals McFaddin and Himel to clear the streets to enable the royal pageant to proceed on its journey of mirth and pleasure. The parade was through the principal streets. It was in the following order:
FIRST FLOAT.
The royal chariot, generally conceded to the finest float in the parade, was about twenty feet in height. It was beautifully mounted and was certainly the result of artistic design and splendid execution.
SECOND FLOAT.
This float was exceedingly pretty. It was a perfect bouquet of the of the rarest flowers in the midst of which were grouped four your ladies: Miss Cora and Augustine Desbrest, Eunice Pefferkorn and Anna Hollier. This tableau represented "Lafayette, the Garden Spot of Louisiana.
THIRD FLOAT.
This float represented Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The biblical scene of the apple tree and the snake with the devil in the background was very well gotten up. The design and workmanship of this float showed more than ordinary taste and originality.
FOURTH FLOAT.
Columbus on his voyage to America. This float was very tastily arranged and was praised by many who saw it.
FIFTH FLOAT.
Li Hung Chang, the great diplomat, was the principal attraction. He was seated in a Chinese pagoda and was surrounded by several attendants of his race.
The sixth float was surrounded by several attendants of the his race.
The sixth float was contributed by the town of Scott. It was labeled "Prosperity" and carried several bales of cotton and quantity of cotton seed. It was quite neatly arranged. There was a number of other floats fitted up by some business firms of the town. Among them were: Mouton & Hopkins, Moss Bros. & Co., Paul Demanade, Gerac Bros., Jno. O. Mouton, G. Schmulen, L. Lacoste.
At night a reception was tendered the King and Queen at Falk's Opera House. The King, Queen, Dukes and Duchesses took seats on the stage and remained there until the until the royal lancers were danced. The following participated in the lancers: Dr. G. A Martin, the King, and Miss Isaure McDaniel, the Queen; Mr. Onezine Mouton and Miss Cora Desbrest, Mr. Samuel Brown and Miss Augustine Desbrest, Mr. J. P. Revillon and Miss Ida Pefferkorn, Mr. Lee Walker and Miss Eunice Pefferkorn, Mr. Andre Girouard and Miss Ida Lester, Mr. Albert Comus and Miss Nita Lacoste. The ball that followed was one of the finest ever given in Lafayette. The dancing continued until late in the night. Lafayette Gazette 3/6/1897.
Selected News Notes (Gazette) 3/6/1897:
Great credit is due H. A. VanderCruyssen and J. T. Allingham for the interest they have shown in this affair. They did all the designing and supervised the work of constructing the chariots. For this work they received no pay.
Manuel Pellerin was the first to start the ball rolling. He suggested the advisability of celebrating Mardi Gras, and did all in his power to make it a success.
Young Maurice Patin did good work in painting some of the floats.
Demas Deloussaye was a success as a grand marshal. He looked like some illustrious general at the head of his army.
The Century Club showed its respect for King Attakapas by elaborate decorations in Carnival colors.
Falk's Opera House was very tastily decorated. The following ladies and gentlemen deserve much credit for this work: Mmes. Eli McDaniel, J. Jagon, Misses Mathilde Fortune, Regina and Angela Romero, Cora and Augustine Desbrest, Isaure McDaniel, Anna Hollier, Messrs. Emmanuel Pellerin, A. J. McBride, Andrew McBride and Pierre Gerac.
The Excelsior Band, under the leadership of Mr. Henry Gerac, contributed largely to the success of the occasion. Lafayette Gazette 3/6/1897.
DEATH OF MRS. ALEXANDER MOUTON.
Mrs. Alexander Mouton died at her residence near this town last Monday morning at half past six o'clock.
Mrs. Mouton's maiden name was Emma K. Gardner. She was of distinguished stock, being the daughter of Col. Charles K. Gardner, a member of President Jackson's cabinet, and a sister of the lamented General Frank Gardner. She was born in the year 1820 in New York City, and was married to the late Governor Mouton more than half a century ago in Washington, D. C. At the time Gov. Mouton was a member of the upper house of Congress, being a senator from Louisiana.
Mrs. Mouton was a lady of extensive information and was gifted with a bright mind. She enjoyed all her faculties to the time of her death and her health was unusually good for one of so advanced an age. Only a few days before her death she found much pleasure in reading. She was able to read without the use of glasses, and no one was more familiar with the current events of the day.
During her last days on earth she was free from the infirmities of old age, and the end came peacefully and without pain. A short time ago she had an attack of la grippe which so weakened her system that Monday morning she breathed her last, surrounded by her children. She was a devout Catholic and before dying received all the religious comfort which that church extends.
Mrs. Mouton was kind and charitable, and loved to help the needy and succor the afflicted. She was a devoted mother, a dutiful wife and a good friend. Of her it is no fulsome eulogy to say that she was a Christian woman.
Lafayette Gazette 3/6/1897.
Java Blend. - H. H. Hohorst's Java Blend Coffee is guaranteed to be superior to any other brand on the market and requires but one half the usual amount to make delicious coffee. Laf. Gazette 3/6/1897
Diamond Pin Recovered.
[From the New Orleans Times-Democrat.]
Sheriff Isaac Broussard, the popular sheriff of Lafayette, while enroute to see the Mardi Gras festivities, had the good luck to recover a $600 diamond pin and returning it while coming to New Orleans on a Southern Pacific train. The lady thought she had been robbed of the pin, and when she found it was gone she was sorely distressed. Some one on the train suggested that Sheriff Isaac Broussard was on board and he might be able to suggest some way to recover the stolen bauble.
Sheriff Broussard was introduced to the lady and after questioning the lady he was convinced that the pin had been lost and not stolen. He ordered a thorough search of the train, and by his direction, Mr. Boyd, an official of the train, succeeded in recovering the much valued pin. The pin was set with many valuable jewels, diamonds, etc., and was valued at $600.
Lafayette Gazette 3/6/1897.
He Was Unconscious. - Alphonse Breaux, a negro, was found in an unconscious condition near Moss & Mouton's lumber yard early Friday morning. Robert Salsmon, the watchman at the railroad yards, had Breaux carried to the colored sitting room where he remained until his relatives could be sent for. The man was speechless and could not say whether he had been struck by a train or by some one. His skull was found to be badly fractured and his condition is very critical. Dr. Mudd attended to the man.
Lafayette Gazette 3/6/1897.
Dr. Webb's Residence Burned. - Last Saturday evening the residence of Rev. Thomas Webb was destroyed by fire. A considerable amount of furniture was burned with the building. The fire originated in a defective chimney. As there was no insurance on the property the loss is quite a heavy one. It is estimated at $4,000.
Lafayette Gazette 3/6/1897.
Democratic Primaries. - Let the Democrats of the town remember that white Democratic primaries will be held on Tuesday, the 18th day of March, from the hour of 8 a. m. to 4 p. m., for the purpose of nominating a ticket for mayor and councilmen.
Lafayette Gazette 3/6/1897.
Selected News Notes (Gazette) 3/6/1897.
Although the streets of Lafayette were crowded with people on Mardi Gras there was not any disturbance of the peace. The crowds were very orderly, the only arrest reported that day being that of a negro.
Mr. Ed Lehman and Miss Lena Plonsky will be married to-morrow evening at the home of the latter.
Miss Martha Mouton has accepted the position of music teacher at the Lafayette High School. Miss Mouton visits the school every afternoon and gives lessons in both vocal and instrumental music.
Let the Democrats of the town remember that white Democratic primaries will be held on Tuesday, the 18th day of March, from the hour of 8 a. m. to 4 p. m, for the purpose of nominating a ticket for mayor and councilmen.
Superintendent C. F. Latiolais and Mr. L. G. Stelly of Carencro were in Lafayette Thursday.
Property belonging to L. Levy and to Mrs. R. Qauillier has been inserted in the delinquent list by mistake.
Rev. H. A. Wallace will Preach at the Presbyterian church Sunday at 11 o'clock in the morning and at 7:30 at night.
Miss Birdie McCord has accepted her former position as assistant in Miss Maud Boas' school Miss McCord arrived in Lafayette Wednesday evening and began teaching Thursday morning.
Great credit is due H. A. VanderCruyssen and J. T. Allingham for the interest they have shown in this affair. They did all the designing and supervised the work of constructing the chariots. For this work they received no pay.
Manuel Pellerin was the first to start the ball rolling. He suggested the advisability of celebrating Mardi Gras, and did all in his power to make it a success.
Young Maurice Patin did good work in painting some of the floats.
Demas Deloussaye was a success as a grand marshal. He looked like some illustrious general at the head of his army.
The Century Club showed its respect for King Attakapas by elaborate decorations in Carnival colors.
Falk's Opera House was very tastily decorated. The following ladies and gentlemen deserve much credit for this work: Mmes. Eli McDaniel, J. Jagon, Misses Mathilde Fortune, Regina and Angela Romero, Cora and Augustine Desbrest, Isaure McDaniel, Anna Hollier, Messrs. Emmanuel Pellerin, A. J. McBride, Andrew McBride and Pierre Gerac.
The Excelsior Band, under the leadership of Mr. Henry Gerac, contributed largely to the success of the occasion.
Lafayette Gazette 3/6/1897.
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From the Lafayette Advertiser of March 6, 1869:
Excessively Cold. - The weather on the 27th and 28th was excessively cold, and we fear that a great portion of the fruit crop has thereby been destroyed, though some knowing ones of many years experience say, nay. Laf. Advertiser 3/6/1869.
Excessively Wet-Repairing the Streets. - The contract of repairing the streets was but a short time since, sold to Mr. H. Eastin, and we are happy to see that he has already gone to work in good earnest. Our village is perhaps the most easy drain in this whole section of the country, being situated on high and surrounded by ditches deep and wide, of various plantations adjacent, wherein the water could be thrown with great relief to the town, and without detriment to any one.
We are confident that hereafter, however inclement the weather, there will be no bogging in the streets. Ere we close this short notice, we would call upon our fellow townsmen, to consider the fact that our sidewalks are almost impracticable to the fair sex especially. What would it to each proprietor to attend to this, after the streets shall have been fixed and drained ? What a neat appearance would it give to our little village - how charming and inviting the evening promenade or daily walk. To all this let property holder purchase lime, say one barrel, it does not cost much ; white-wash their out-houses, their fences, and even their residences if they if they have not the means of purchasing paint ; the appearance of our village would then be improved a hundred fold and the value of the property be enhanced greatly. The above considerations are not the only ones that we would press upon the minds of the citizens of Vermilionville - the course proposed by us, we would add the salubrity of the place, and greatly improve its sanitary condition, and would win the eye and perhaps permanent stay of the traveler and immigrant. We call upon our fellow-townsmen to ponder well over these suggestions and we warrant, that if they adopt them and act in accordance, they will profit thereby. Lafayette Advertiser 3/6/1869.
Building Shop. - Some time past we noticed the fact that Mr. Ledger, our townsman, was building a shop, where all jobs in the way of carriage making and trimming, wheel-wrighting, painting, etc., could be executed with utmost neatness and dispatch , and with certainty to give entire satisfaction to all customers. Laf. Advertiser 3/6/1869
Says the Advertiser:
It becomes our duty to advert to the present condition of our Parish roads ; they are in a most deplorable, and to be more practical in our expression, in an impassable condition. We would call upon the Police Jury to take this matter into consideration, and afford some relief to the traveling public. Our roads are in a shameful condition, and now that fair weather is setting in, we should avail ourselves of the same, to improve our highways and create the impression abroad that there is still some public spirit left in our little Parish. Laf. Advertiser 3/6/1869.
From an Advertiser correspondent: - We are indebted to Indamora for his kind an flattering notice in the last Opelousas Journal, of an article published by us in our sheet of Saturday the 13th ultimo, and in answer, can but say that we are happy to have such aid and assistance in the great work of the coming road.
The further suggestions of the able correspondent are thankfully received and appreciated and we have no doubt and hope, that they will produce the proper impression on the minds of the contributors whoever they may be. The article is replete with sound and practical reasoning and we take pleasure in favoring our roaders and the the public generally with the perusal of it:
Mr. Editor - In the Lafayette Advertiser of the 13th, is an editorial of such force and appropriateness. The arguments set forth, should have weight with whomever may obtain the contract to extend the N. O., G. W. & Texas R. R. There is one point upon which more may with propriety be said, which is this : The building of an air line road.
It has lately been a hobby with some Engineers, that this true method for rail roads is the strait line between two given points. To this we give cordial assent, whenever the object for which the road is constructed is not lost sight of. If this idea is to be dogmatically enforced without regard to the amount of business, the developing power, or the income of the road then we dissent. Now the road in question, opens a fair field for testing this theory. From New Iberia to the Vermilion bayou and for some short distance west of said bayou, the country is well populated, and to that extent the people would be benefited, as also the road. But what of the rest of the country westward ? We answer, that the company will have heavier work, more expense in the way bridging, a greater scarcity of timber, and besides these difficulties, they will have located their road in a region of country entirely unfit for settlement, and affording no business, all for the purpose of conforming to the air line system. When the country to be passed over, presents engineering difficulties greater than some other proposed line, but is susceptible of sustaining an equally large population, and affords a similar amount of business, in that case, we are ready to adopt the air line system. In the present case, by using the road-bed now made up to Vermilionville, and thence turning west towards Texas, a line is presented which opens room for multitudes of sturdy farmers on either side ; and the developing power of improvement inaugurated by the road, will myriad fold add to development in other respects. Suppose you add to the distance three miles by this route, it is clear that the company will be gainers ; for they will not only obtain greater advantages for construction ; find less of engineering difficulty ; obtain material in greater abundance ; but they will at the same time open the rich lands of a section of country as yet un known to productiveness, and enhance their revenues a hundred fold.
INDIMORA. Lafayette Advertiser 3/6/1869.
Louisiana:
HER SITUATION AND HER PROSPECTS.
[From the N. O. Times.]
Few if any of the States of the South were more thoroughly prostrated than Louisiana at the close of the war. Her domestic animals and farming implements had been confiscated or destroyed ; her most fertile lands were overflowed and overgrown with weeds and bushes ; the fences were decayed ; the labor system, on which reliance had previously been placed, was completely overturned and demoralized, and the planters were wholly without means to restock their plantations and properly work them. Such a situation, it must be admitted, was sufficiently discouraging. But the stern lessons of the war had familiarized our people with difficulties, and inspired them with a reliance on their own strong arms which they never knew before. Both men and women, who, in their days of prosperity, had always been surrounded by servants, learned to help themselves, and assert the glorious privilege of a self-sustained independence.
The planter who previously relied upon an overseer took the management of his affairs into his own hands, and when necessary, became his own plowman. In this way, though defeated in one field, he became a conqueror in another, and by self-assertion and persevering energy, succeeded in bridging over the abyss which gaped before him. While thus struggling he has been stimulated by the rivalry of Northern and Western men, who have come hither, attracted by the fertility of our lands, and have brought with them the enterprise and labor-saving ingenuity which have accomplished such wonders in less productive portions of our common country.
As matters now stand, our people have much to encourage them - so far, at least, as material interests are concerned. They have their plantations again in a tillable condition, their staple products command remunerating prices, and the prospect of walling out the Mississippi - always a kind friend but a dangerous master - is now better than it has ever been since the day when, under the cruel exigence of war, the levees were first broken. Furthermore, the advantages of our position are beginning to be generally understood, and the spirit of enlightened and far-seeing enterprise in manifesting itself in new railroad and steamboat lines and new appliances for the facilitation of an enlarged prospective commerce.
But if we have reason to be encouraged as to our agricultural and commercial prospects, in political matters our situation is far from being satisfactory. The seeds of corruption introduced into our public affairs by "loil" adventurers and political parasites, have brought about a statement of demoralization which is utterly disgraceful. Before the war, when our law-makers were of our own people, our representatives were in the main "honorable men." To introduce a corrupt scheme into the Legislature for the purpose of plundering the community, would brand the name of the proposer with infamy, and to attempt to put such a measure by bribery would have been not only disgraceful but exceedingly dangerous. Now, all this is changed. The Goths and Vandals who come among us to profit by our misfortunes, brought with them their own peculiar notions of propriety and morality. Jackals of the army, they profit by the plunder which is found in the footprints of the brave. When the House of Prayer was, of old, converted into a den of thieves, the change was not more startling and peculiar than that which has taken place since the war in our legislative halls. Never before was corruption so barefaced, venality so avaricious, usurpation so shameless. For the good things brought us from the North - the skill, the industry, the perseverance - we are truly thankful. We welcome with outstretched arms the Northern men who come here, as to a home, for the purpose of aiding in the legitimate development or our resources and or participating in the advantages of our situation. Against such there are no prejudices. But those who have come to oppress us in our day of humiliation and weakness - to profit by our necessities - to tax us without our consent and divide our revenues among themselves through shameful subsidies, oppressive monopolies, and all sorts of disgraceful favoritism - occupy and entirely different position. Human nature must be altogether changed before they can be can be respected. The consciousness of being hated and despised may render them reckless, but even in their recklessness they must remember the stain upon their names and the debasement to which they subjected themselves for filthy lucre, and they can feel no surprise that an impassable abyss lies between them and the people they have wronged.
Our conclusion, then, is, that is all matters of material interest, which depend upon the commercial and industrial energies of those who are thoroughly identified with our State and city, and prospects are good. In political matters our only hope lies in that peace which has been so emphatically promised by Gen. Grant, and in a return to representative institutions, in deed as well as in name. When the voice of public opinion is again so potent as to check usurpation, extravagance and fraud, and re-establish consent as the basis of political authority, then, and not till then, will our complete redemption be achieved. From the N. O. Times and in the Lafayette Advertiser 3/6/1869.
LAGNIAPPE:
CANNIBAL DWARVES OF THE CONGO FOREST.
Nelson had a curious account to give of the dwarfs of the Congo forest. He describes them as the ugliest and most depraved specimens of humanity ever heard of. "They struck me as the dark and forbidding creatures of a bad night mare," he said, when he first saw them, "rather than actual human beings." "Oh, they're a bad lot, I tell you: Sometimes we struck a district where they seemed a trifle less wild, or more confident, and they used to come in swarms to the camp. They, of course had never seen a white man before.
"The most disagreeable thing about them was their guilty, sneaking expression. They are cannibals, of course, and it always seemed to me that they came into our camp for the purpose of feasting their eyes on us, as a pack of hungry dogs might gaze longingly on a leg of mutton. They could never look us in the face. I have felt their baleful gaze on me, as I sat at my tent door, and the moment I looked all eyes would instantly be dropped. But I have detected them sizing up the others, and fairly licking their chops. It used to make my flesh creep. They used to pay more attention to Jephson than any of the others hence his popularity with these cannibals. They admired Jephson because they saw at a glance that he would cut up into more steaks and better rib roasts than the others.
From the New York World and in the Lafayette Advertiser 3/6/1891.
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